Begins at US 17 Folkstone and ends at NC 24 Hubert, all within Onslow County.

Towns and Attractions:

Onslow Co: Camp Lejune

History:

NC 172 appeared about 1940 as a renumbering of NC 86. It initially ran from US 17 to the New River Bridge to Camp Lejune via Sneads Ferry.
In 1943 or 1944, NC 172 was built onto its modern alignment south of the New River, leaving behind SR 1518 Folkstone Rd; SR 1519 to Sneads Ferry; SR 1515/1516 back to NC 172.
In 1947, NC 172 was extended through Camp Lejune to end at NC 24 (now just Hubert Blvd) Hubert.
In 1977, NC 172 north was truncated to modern NC 24 leaving behind "Old 172".
In April 2007, NC 172 was closed to the public through Camp Lejune. To this point there is no indication the route has been officially decommissioned.

NC 86 to Sneads Ferry
1940 Official

NC 172 replaces NC 86
1941-42 Official

NC 172 extended to NC 24
1951 Official

NC 172 closed through Lejune
2009 Official

The first NC 172 appeared in 1938 as new primary routing, running from US 64 (now NC 94) Skinnersville north across the Albermarle Sound to US 17 south of Hertford.
In 1940, NC 172 was renumbered as parts of NC 32 and NC 37. The original bridge over the Sound has since been replaced.

Original NC 172
1939 Gen Draft

NC 172 replaced
1940 Official

Comment:

I drove NC 172 in 1990 as a short cut from US 17 to NC 24. Inside the Marine Corps Base was a little different. There were several tank crossings, fully marked, with concrete patches over the highway where the tanks crossed.
Also, the diamonds on the few shields were pointy.